It is with great joy that we at Athletics Otago would like to announce Dick Tayler as our new Patron.
Not that he needs an introduction, but we would love to share a bit about him to our wider community. Born in 1948 in Timaru, Tayler, a gifted runner, recorded a world record mile run of 4:18 at the age of 15 followed by the 1966 junior mile title and in 1967 the New Zealand junior 880 yd crown. He was a member of a New Zealand 4 x mile relay team which set a world record. A win at the Otago Cross Country Champs, going on to win the 1973 NZ Cross Country Championship at Cuthbert’s Green in Christchurch, which he still consider to be one of the best races he ever ran. In addition, a marathon time of 2h 16min pointed to future greatness at that distance. Under the guidance of his coach Alistair McMurran, he made his New Zealand international debut at the 1969 Pacific Conference Games in Tokyo where he grabbed the 1500m silver and in the 1970 campaign he landed a maiden national senior crown over 1500m. His most prominent achievement is his gold medal in the 10,000m run at the 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games which was one of Athletics New Zealand’s most iconic victories.
After retiring from the sport at the age of 26, Tayler worked as a marketing manager for the Harness Racing Association, a brewing company and also served as President of the Canterbury Rugby Supporters Club. Today he works in the gaming industry and lives close to the beach in the small Otago town of Waikouaiti, with his partner, Brenda, and walks at least an hour every day.
Now aged 73, Tayler, who has three children, and four grandchildren is still in demand as a popular and humorous public speaker – where his 1974 Commonwealth Games story remains as relevant today, as it was some 48 years ago.
In conversation with Mr Tayler he said “I am very grateful to the Otago athletic community for contributing hugely to my success as an athlete, but also in giving me the opportunity to forge friendships that exist to this day, I am deeply honoured to have been nominated as Patron of Athletics Otago.
We are extremely proud and grateful to have someone like Dick who is willing to share his knowledge and background in the sport, and to lend credibility alongside supporting us on our journey to advance athletics in the Otago region.
Article added: Tuesday 6 September 2022
